BOSTON (WWLP) - Republican State Lawmakers Thursday outlined their legislative priorities for this session. 22News explains how they plan to help small businesses.

Republican lawmakers said that 3 out of 4 jobs in the state are created by small businesses, which is why they plan to decrease the challenges those owners may face.

Taunton State Representative Shaunna O’Connell echoed the words of the House Speaker; Massachusetts is “Open for Business.” She outlined the Republican legislative goals, which will focus on helping small businesses by tackling their challenges with taxes, high utility costs and the state’s strict regulations.

It will also loosen restrictions on hiring freelance workers, O’Connell said, to grow job opportunities throughout the state.

O’Connel told 22News, “We need to allow people to be self employed, to start up their own businesses and allow businesses to hire freelancers.”

Republican House leaders were not present during the news conference. They plan to outline their own legislative goals in the coming weeks.